What is Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest? Drinks and other menu items explored

Pepsi and Super Bowl have enjoyed a long-standing partnership spanning decades, solidifying the brand’s presence in one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Pepsi is celebrating the game with its upcoming Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest. According to a report in Brand Innovators, the festival will feature ten local restaurants serving their most popular dishes along with Pepsi-inspired crafted cocktails.

The Eats Fest will reportedly start at noon and run until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8, at Woldenberg Riverfront Park.

Pepsi will also be reportedly launching three exclusive drinks from DRIPS by Pepsi, inspired by the gaming culture in New Orleans, as part of the festival. These beverages will be available at Pepsi's NOLA Eats Fest, where customers can enjoy these drinks.

“This is not just a Super Bowl moment but a New Orleans moment,” Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer of PepsiCo Away From Home told Food & Wine.

Pepsi Praline for Ya, Dew Dirty Gator, and Starry Berry Beads are the three flavors introduced by Pepsi. According to the reports, these beverages will be available during the festival on February 7 and February 8, 2025.

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Everything to know about the DRIPS by Pepsi and other menu items at Pepsi's NOLA Eats Fest

Pepsi's NOLA Eats Fest attendees will get the chance to enjoy three flavors of DRIPS by Pepsi, which include –

Praline for Ya

It reportedly features Pepsi with brown sugar boba, praline syrup, and a cold foam topper with a caramel sauce drizzle.

Dirty Gator

This beverage features Mountain Dew with vanilla creamer, pineapple and honeydew melon, and gator-shaped gummies.

Berry Beads

It is a colorful drink with berry flavors inspired by the iconic Mardi Gras beads and consists of flavors like passionfruit, lime, and edible glitter.

Pepsi’s Scott Finlow describes the custom-crafted beverages by Pepsi as a play on dirty soda. He said, “We have the best R&D capability to make drinks in the world,” and touted that “a real degree of cultural attenuation to making sure we landed something that was respectful of New Orleans and celebrated the culture and the drinks.”

Besides the three exclusive drinks available at the Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest, the festival will host ten New Orleans restaurants – Boswell’s Jamaican Grill, Morrow’s, Zesty Creole, Joes’ Italian Bistro, Willie Mae’s NOLA, We Dat’s Canal, Los Jefes Grill, Jay’s Bar-B-Q among others, according to Pepsi’s official website.

These restaurants will be serving barbecue, Creole, and more items. Additionally, the festival will also feature a seafood boil cookoff and craft cocktails.

According to Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer of PepsiCo Away From Home:

“The Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest is about celebrating the classic New Orleans flavors that have made the city’s cuisine renowned worldwide. From Cajun seasoning to seafood boils, we’re here to spotlight the delicious dishes the city’s local restaurants have to offer on game day and beyond, and how enjoying them with a Pepsi unlocks even more flavor.”

The website further stated that there will be performances from Mannie Fresh and other local artists and DJs. Plus, special appearances from Action Bronson and Larry Morrow.

Although the event is free to attend, it is advisable to RSVP to secure your spot. Interested ones can visit the Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest page at pepsilocaleats.com for more information and updates.